Sunday, June 26, 2016

Now, just a few days into official summertime, they are already starting to

fade because they are planted in parts of the garden that get direct sun in the

afternoon. These lovely shrubs should really be resting in shadows, taking a shady siesta after lunch! When I planted them many years ago I had more

trees in front of the house and porch and they did get shade. Now the sun's rays find them easily so along with very hot temperatures, and often high humidity, I'm perhaps lucky to have any hydrangeas at all!Of course I've cut some for the house and hopefully later I'll have plentyto dry for the dark days of winter.

I really do believe this is early in the season to have blooms already turning

Thursday, June 23, 2016

. . . . named after the main town of Dingle, the Dingle Peninsula is commonly called Corca Dhuibhne in Irish (anglicized as something like Corkaguiny). It is the northernmost of the major peninsulas in County Kerry, ending beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe.

I'm sure you will agree that this dramatic scenery is exceptionally beautiful. I have to add that it was also very peaceful when we visited prior to the arrival of the Summer crowds. Our day trip was cool and mostly cloudy with a few patches of sunshine, but again no rain. On arrival in Killarney, our base for four nights, we checked weather forecasts and realized we had a two day window for possible sunny days so made our tour reservations ahead to ensure seats on coaches.

This, the most western end of the peninsula is a Gaeltacht (meaning an Irish-speaking area) that has produced many notable authors and poets.

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm obsessed with the story of the

Blasket Islands, particularly Great Blasket, where the small population

survived the potato famine and remained until 1953 when the government

evacuated the island, many of the inhabitants emigrating to

Springfield, Massachusetts.

There are six principal Blasket Islands. The northermost is Inishtooskert

(Inis Tuaisceart in Irish), also known as An Fear Marbh (the dead man) or

the Sleeping Giant due to its appearance when viewed from the eastern

mainland as here in my photo.

This was the closest I managed to get to visiting Great Blasket Island - next time I plan to be on a boat and going ashore!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

BUT. . . . . . all the time in the world to read wonderful books this week and next.

These, waiting to be opened and have their pages turned, are full of promise.

Since coming home from Ireland a couple of weeks ago, I have been eager for the mailman who has showered me with new books. . . . . . .

. . . . . . other thanFALLENby Lia Mills, a Dublin writer, which tweaked my curiosity when I photographed this Dublin street banner, and which I was able to purchase later at a tiny Killarney bookshop, my books have come to my mailbox. FALLEN is set in Dublin at the time of the 1916 EasterRising and is an historical story of a young woman coming of age amidst violence and loss.

MEADOWLAND - The Private Life Of An English Fieldby John Lewis-Stempelsomehow appeared online when looking for something else. I had to have it!"In exquisite prose John Lewis-Stempel records the passing seasons in an

ancient meadow on his farm."That singular sentence was enough to tweak my appetite for learning more about my much loved English countryside - the fields of Devon were my playground and I will always remember and love them for ever.

ON AN IRISH ISLAND - The Lost World of the Great Blasketby Robert Kanigel. The story of Great Blasket Island is a must read because I'm now besotted by the history of this Irish island (the largest of a group named The Blasket Islands off the Dingle coastline) which was inhabited until the 1950's.

The House on an Irish Hillside byFelicity Hayes-McCoy is the new book I've decided to read first. It is so wonderful I plan to do a full post on it later. Just know I'm really happy to have found this book by this amazing author - and that I have been fortunate to have just visited the Dingle Peninsula where she lives for much of the year.

. . . . . . lastly, a new book about the extraordinary record-setting woman aviator, Beryl Markham, caught in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter Denis Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen who, as Isak Dinesen, wrote the classic memoir Out of Africa.Circling The Sun by Paula McLain.My read and reread dog-eared copy of West With The Night was written by Beryl herself and published in 1942. It has always been one of my favorite books about adventurous women and life in Kenya back in the 1930's.Hmm, Kenya, Africa, Masai Mara, Safari, Big Five. . . . .some day!!!All photos by me - thankfully a small camera is not very heavy!

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Things are going well so far although you won't be seeing any photos of me for a while - it's called vanity!

My incision is healing under the glue, but it will be a long while before it becomes just a faded scar. It will also be a couple of weeks before I'm even permitted to have anything cover my throat, such as a high necked top, or even a lightweight scarf. . . . . .my collection sits waiting in the drawer. . . . .meanwhile v-necked tops are being utilized.

Anesthesia is always strange. Prior to the disappearance of life around you within a few seconds, then a strange voice shouting in your ear, "Mary, wake up", hours have passed in which you have gone some place else. For me three and half hours 'under' brought changes in the world I will never know about.

This morning, sitting here in the gazebo, my 'happy place', I'm so very thankful for the excellent care I received in the hospital.

Yesterday was a difficult day, I just didn't feel right. I'm on a lot of new meds, and I can only eat soft foods because my throat is sore and swallowing somewhat difficult. Yogurt and oatmeal are good but now I'm craving a fresh salad and some crunchy toast.

Yesterday, late afternoon, the call came with very good news - pathology report showed no sign of cancer in my thyroid or the five nodules. Thankful doesn't seem a strong enough word but that's what I am. When one is already a cancer survivor anything suspect always brings on worry and concern until given the all clear.

So here I am, still in my pjs and robe - it's allowed this week - listening to beautiful birdsong and Irish music at the same time!

I took these photos of my little garden in the morning sunlight, with a

gentle breeze rustling through the trees, perfect temperature and no humidity!

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR is a fresh version of my former three year blog ACROSS THE POND which can still be accessed by clicking on the title above.I'm a transplanted Brit enjoying life in North Carolina.

Fifty five years of journeying back and forth across the wide Atlantic Ocean have kept me busy…….and made my life very interesting! Although I've now visited all seven continents, I continue to travel and look forward to sharing new places around the world.I love taking photos! All images are my own unless noted otherwise. Please do not use my photos without a request. I enjoy sharing and will usually say OK!

Malaysia 2012

Singapore 2012

Hawaii 2012

Hoi An 2011

Vietnam 2011

Chiang Mai 2011

Bangkok 2011

TASMANIA 2011

Australia Nov. 2011

Expedition Cruising 2011

M/V Orion

Sub-Antarctic 2011

King Penguins

My African Safari...May 2010

The Lion

Africa 2010

The Leopard

Africa 2010

Remembering Africa - 2010

Lassen National Park, California

Thanks so much for reading along this far……if you've enjoyed my tales and photos and would like to see more, click on the Older Posts button, or the photo thumbnails above to take you back…there are awesome countries and exciting adventures. If you love to decorate your personal space, dig and delve in your garden, and turn out tasty morsels from your kitchen..........you're at the right place!